Leader of the Pack

Congratulations, you have decided to pursue a career as a nurse! As you probably know, nursing is one of the few recession proof careers in these challenging economic times. The growing need for nurses to care for the steadily increasing population of aging baby boomers makes your decision to don the metaphorical white cap and dress (translation: colorful scrubs) an extremely important one.

However, you most likely also know by now that the nursing shortage is paralleled by a shortage of nursing school professors. This means that aspiring nursing students can look forward to a healthy dose of admissions competition when applying to nursing programs, whether your goal is an ADN or a BSN. Just like many of your other fellow students in other disciplines (including in those industries not facing shortages), this is the time to focus on what separates you from your fellow applicants.

Many of my fellow high school graduates seemed surprised when, at our graduation ceremony, I swept the nursing scholarships awards. I had good but not stellar marks in science, but overall I was known more for my writing abilities than my bedside manner and medical pedigree.  What they did not know, is that for the past two years I had been volunteering at a local hospital as a “candy striper” (I believe the politically correct term is patient care volunteer?). The scholarship committee had taken note.

While I’m not suggesting that every aspiring RN is required to log time as a hospital volunteer, I would like to emphasize the important of doing something – anything – to separate yourself from the pack of others competing for your nursing school spot.

Grades: Science and math grades are obviously very important, since as a nursing student you will find yourself immersed in stimulating subjects such as biochemistry, pathophysiology and medication dosages. Overall GPA is also key because it shows a capacity to learn and study.

Extracurricular Activities: Hospital, hospice, and nursing home volunteering, babysitting, pet-sitting and anything else that reveals the all important care giving gene.

The Essay/Cover Letter: Dreaded by many and embraced by few, this is actually a fantastic opportunity for you to shine a light on your accomplishments, special traits, why you want to be a nurse (hint: don’t say “the money”) and how you can contribute to the rapidly changing face of health care.

Nursing school can be a challenging endeavor and with the limited flexibility in nursing student to instructor ratios, recruiters are out to increase the odds that the students they accept will make it through, graduate, and make valuable contributions in the field of nursing. Keep this in mind as you complete your nursing school applications.